Halle Berry to Testify in Support of Paparazzi Limits

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Actress Halle Berry is scheduled to testify on Tuesday in favor of California legislation that would limit the ability of paparazzi to photograph the children of celebrities.

The hearing before the Assembly Committee on Public Safety is set for midmorning, although it’s not clear exactly when Berry is expected to speak.

Berry has tangled with paparazzi. In April, she shouted and cursed at photographers at Los Angeles International Airport, telling them to get away from her young daughter, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The bill by state Sen. Kevin de Leon, D-Los Angeles, would change the definition of harassment to include photographing or recording a child without the permission of a legal guardian, by following the child or guardian’s activities or by lying in wait.

It also increases the penalties for people convicted of such behavior. The first conviction would require imprisonment of at least 10 days, up from the current five days.

The goal is also to protect the children of public officials, including judges and law enforcement, said Greg Hayes, spokesman for the senator.

Opponents, including The Motion Picture Association of America, said it infringes on free speech.

Jim Ewert, general counsel for the California Newspaper Publishers Association, told the Times the bill could criminalize legitimate news gathering.